Mack, Irvin get day off from practice

Neither Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack nor linebacker Bruce Irvin practiced Wednesday for non-injuryrelated reasons, the team said.

Mack and Irvin were both present during the Raiders’ stretch period open to reporters, but both left the field shortly thereafter as players moved into position drills.

A team spokesman said Mack and Irvin were given a “rest type” day. Wednesday’s session was lighter than usual for the whole team, with no players in pads.

It came a day after the Raiders fired defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. 10 games into the season. Shortly after the move was announced, Irvin posted a one-word expletive to his Twitter account. Norton was Irvin’s linebackers coach in Seattle from 2012 through ’14.

Asked Wednesday to comment on Norton’s firing, Mack told ESPN: “I like to keep my thoughts private.”

Mack was listed on the injury/absence report for the first time since Week 1. He missed the Wednesday practice that week with a knee injury. Irvin had not previously appeared on the report this season.

Mack and Irvin were among five players who didn’t participate in practice Wednesday. Receiver Johnny Holton was listed on the injury report with a concussion. Holton was evaluated for a concussion in the first half of Oakland’s 33-8 loss to the Patriots on Sunday but returned later in the game and played 13 offensive snaps in total, matching his season high. Cornerback David Amerson (foot), who has missed the past three games, and right guard Gabe Jackson (ankle) also did not practice.

Linebacker Cory James (knee) and right tackle Marshall Newhouse (hip/quadriceps) were limited. Carr’s take: Quarterback Derek Carr said he reached out to Norton via text following Tuesday’s move to “let him know how thankful I was for our time together.”

“He sounded good,” Carr said. “Obviously, as a competitor, no one wants those kinds of things to happen. But we just know that’s how this business is sometimes.

“It’s one of those things where your emotion is like, dang, you know, it sucks. But we have to move on. It’s just like when one of your best friends gets released, or gets traded or anything like that. It’s, ‘Dang, bro, love you, man, but you’ve got to move on, I’ve got to move on,’ kind of a deal. That’s how this league works. It’s unfortunate, but it’s a part of it.”